Shelfbound

We now present a selection of covers that we judged books by: — In all honesty the title is the selling point.  What if you got someone’s voice mail and heard that phrase emitting from the static? What if you heard Art Bell’s voice emerging from beyond the grave to intone that at 1 a.m. [...]

Dixon: I’ve discussed my love for hardcover books as objects previously but I also have great affection for the other end of the spectrum–ratty old paperbacks. The trashier, pulpier, crazier-looking the better. Smitty: I’m there with you, but the first, obvious question is: Why? Because they’re from a time before our awareness of literature became [...]

“As children we made a complete circle in some way I don’t understand even now. I think that, if we agree to go ahead, we’ll have to try to form a smaller circle. I don’t know if that can be done. I believe it might be possible to think we’d done it, only to discover–when [...]

What: The Cornelius Chronicles by Michael Moorcock, a tetralogy starring British spy (amongst other things) Jerry Cornelius. Published in the US as The Cornelius Quartet. Why: The adventures of Jerry Cornelius have been influential on a generation of sci-fi writers and graphic novelists; in particular, Shelfbound favorite Grant Morrison, who relied heavily on the character [...]

What: The Cornelius Chronicles by Michael Moorcock, a tetralogy starring British spy (amongst other things) Jerry Cornelius. Published in the US as The Cornelius Quartet. Why: The adventures of Jerry Cornelius have been influential on a generation of sci-fi writers and graphic novelists; in particular, Shelfbound favorite Grant Morrison, who relied heavily on the character [...]

In this week’s Off Panel, Smith and Dixon begin the discussion of those rare works of art they’d rather not live without. With the caveat that these choices may change on a yearly (if not weekly) basis, herewith, the fabled Desert Island question! Smitty: Desert island time. Fortunately, you knew you’d be flying over one [...]

I figured out the plot twist to Shutter Island about halfway through the book.  This doesn’t mean that I’m particularly clever (I am) or that Dennis Lehane is an obvious writer (he isn’t).  If I didn’t know there was a twist I would have been completely blindsided.  Gobsmacked, even.  I’m kind of envious of the [...]

My favorite books- not in terms of content but of design- are hardcovers.  Small hardcovers are my particular love, but any kind of distinctive design element or unusual size will catch my attention.  If a series of books has a uniform look I am even more of a sucker for it.  Years and years ago [...]